After it was announced the UK will suspend some arms sales to Israel amid growing concerns over their use in Gaza, we ask if Britain should stop supplying weapons to the country altogether.
The UK doesn’t directly supply weapons to Israel, but does grant export licences for British firms to sell arms to them. Foreign secretary David Lammy told Parliament around 30 of 350 such licences will be suspended, stressing that “this is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo”.
The suspension includes components used in military aircraft used in Gaza, including drones and helicopters, as well as items which assist ground targeting. But no ban has been placed on the components for multinational F-35 jets – known as ‘the most lethal in the world’. The government says such a veto would have a ‘significant effect on the global F-35 fleet with serious implications for international peace and security’.
Mr Lammy told MPs on Monday the government had a legal duty to review Britain’s export licences amid the war in Gaza. The review highlighted a ‘clear risk’ UK equipment could be used to commit “a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
If you can’t see the poll, click here
There were mixed reactions in the House to the announcement, with some rallying against the ban while others felt the measures didn’t go far enough.
Green MP Ellie Chowns hailed the suspension as a “welcome and significant step, but leaves vital questions unanswered” – mainly why so many licences are being exempt. She added there is ‘no justification at all’ for continuing to license F-35 fighter jets.
The decision “sends a very problematic message” to Hamas and its backer Iran, according to Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz.